Report on the Meeting with the Secretary of State Colin Powell
By: Iftekhar Hai, Director, Interfaith Committe of UMA
Washington, DC:� On June 1, 2004 at 11:00 am a delegation of 23 prominent Jewish, Christian and Muslim Leaders� delivered an urgent appeal to the Secretary of State Colin Powell for immediate U.S. re-engagement in pressing forward on the Road Map to Peace between Israel and Palestinian people.� They all reiterated the two State solution for the crisis between Israel and Palestine.
The United Inter-religious Leadership also pledged nationwide efforts with their constituents in support of renewed vigorous engagement by the Bush Administration in pursuing full implementation of the Road Map to Peace in the Middle East.
The Muslim delegation consisted of Dr. Sayyid Syeed from ISNA,� Dawud Assad, former President , Council of Mosques, USA, Imam Yahya Hendi of Georgetown University, Imam Feisal Rauf, Founder of American Sufi Association and Iftekhar Hai from United Muslims of America.
The following are some of the prominent Christian and Jewish Leaders who formed a part of the National Inter-religious Delegation.� The Archbishop of Washington, DC, representative from American Greek Orthodox Church, Rev. Frank Griswold of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Mark Hanson of Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Rev. Gregory, President of US Conference of Catholic Bishops, Rev. Kirkpatrick of the Presbyterian Church, etc.� The Jewish delegation consisted of Rabbi Janet Marder and Paul Menitoff from Central Conference of American Rabbis ? Reformed Judaism, Rabbi Paul Menitoff,� Rabbi Jerome Epstein from United Synagogue Council, Conservative Judaism, Rabbi Peter Knobel from Union of American Hebrew Congregations, etc. etc.We all held a press conference outside the State Department where 16 members of the press interviewed and questioned the Jewish, Christian and Muslim delegates.� This interview and report had nationwide coverage.Colin Powell thanked the National Inter-religious delegation and said that his administration has been in touch with the Sharon Government and is actively advocating vacating the Gaza area as first step towards a comprehensive peace plan.� He also said that Abu Ala, the new Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority has given some suggestions which he is studying for the Middle East peace.
Each delegate promised to go back to their State and create a grassroots support for the peace plan in the Middle East.� We all pledged to work for a negotiated settlement and formation of a Palestinian State.
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